WrestleXian

Icho Aims to Reclaim Asian Gold in Next Stage of Comeback Eyeing Tokyo 2020

Monday, April 22, 2019 - 13:16 By Ken Marantz

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XI'AN, China (April 22) - When Kaori ICHO (JPN) takes the mat at the Asian Championships, it will mark her first international competition in 32 months. The last one, of course, was the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she became the first four-time wrestling gold medalist in Olympic history.

Icho ended a long layoff last year to launch a bid for a fifth gold at Tokyo 2020, and while the tournament in Xi'an, China, starting Tuesday will have no direct bearing on her Olympic aspirations, it does not diminish her determination to emerge victorious.

"There's some uneasiness, but I'm also looking forward to it," Icho said at a recent national team practice open to the media in Tokyo. "To think of it as just a stepping stone [to the Olympics] would be taking it too lightly.

"Since Rio de Janeiro, the members [in the weight class] have completely changed. So there is not one wrestler that I've ever fought against or even know. This will be a measure of the current level in Asia."

The 34-year-old Icho can certainly be regarded as the favorite at women's 57kg as she aims for the sixth Asian title of her storied career, having won her first in 2004 in Tokyo and most recent in 2015 in Doha.

But the path will not be easy, as standing in the way will be rising star RONG Ningning (CHN), who has been wreaking havoc on the weight class in recent years. Rong, winner of both the Klippan Lady and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournaments this year, will be one of two current world champions in Xi'an, as well as one of 12 gold medalists from last year's Asian Championships in Bishkek.

"The world champion is a Chinese wrestler, and the venue is China," Icho said. "I think this a big event leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. I want to be properly prepared. It will likely be the first meeting with every opponent."

Those two will have formidable company in the form of Budapest 2018 world bronze medalist Pooja DHANDA (IND), the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov winner at 59kg; Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), the world U23 bronze medalist and Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix winner; and JONG Myong-Suk (PRK), the Asian Games champion and a world bronze medalist at 55kg.

"I can watch videos [of opponents], but in wrestling, until you actually get out there, you never know," Icho said. "To say there is not some anxiety would be a lie. Part of me looks forward to testing myself, but I also firmly want to win. But above all, I'm happy to get the chance."

Regardless of who she faces, Icho can hardly have to clear a bigger hurdle that the one she did to get to Xi'an. At the Japan national championships last December, she defeated fellow Rio 2016 gold medalist Risako KAWAI, the world champion at 59kg who had dropped down to the Olympic weight. Another showdown looms in June at the national invitational championships, with a ticket to the Nul-Sultan world championships hanging in the balance.

The other reigning world champion in Xi'an will be Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN), the 55kg gold medalist in Budapest who has dropped to the Olympic division of 53kg. She was in line for a clash with the world champion in that weight class, Haruna OKUNO, at the Japan nationals, but Okuno withdrew due to a stomach virus.

Mukaida, the 2017 Asian champion at 53kg in New Delhi, has not lost since the final of that year's world championships in Paris. She also faces a potential clash with a highly regarded Chinese opponent in PANG Qianyu (CHN), a world bronze medalist and winner at both the Klippan Lady and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov.

Others expected to be in the mix are defending champion and Asian Games gold medalist PAK Yongmi (PRK) and Vinesh VINESH (IND), the Asian Games champion and Bishkek 2018 silver medalist at 50kg who was runner-up to Pang at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov.

Here's a look at some other weight classes of particular interest:

Freestyle, April 23-24

A highly anticipated rematch of the UWW's Freestyle Match of the Year from 2018 between 65kg world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) was put on hold after the Japanese pulled out of the tournament due to the onset of bursitis in his knee.

That makes Bajrang, who had to settle for third place last year in Bishkek, the prohibitive favorite to regain the Asian gold he won before a home crowd in 2017. He won the Asian Games gold last summer, beating Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) in the final to avenge a quarterfinal loss in Bishkek.

But Bajrang will have to contend with veteran Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), the defending champion who will be aiming for his fourth Asian gold and seventh medal overall, as well as Asian Games bronze medalist Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB).

At 57kg, Budapest 2018 bronze medalist Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) will look to repeat his successful run in New Delhi in 2017, the year he also won the world title in Parix. Takahashi, who failed to make the Rio 2016 Olympics, is determined to be at Tokyo 2020, and noted the importance of the UWW ranking points available at the continental championship that can affect seedings at the worlds, where he can clinch an Olympic berth.

Takahashi knows he faces stiff competition, mainly from defending champion KANG Sumsong (PRK), who pulled off a stunning victory over the Japanese in the first round of the Asian Games en route to the silver medal. Also vying for gold will be Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB), the runner-up to Kang last year in Bishkek; Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI), an Asian Games bronze medalist along with Takahashi;  and world U23 medalists ZOU Wanhao (CHN) and Kumar RAVI (IND).

"Asia has many strong wrestlers at 57 [kg]," Takahashi said. "I feel the Asian Championships will give me an idea of where I stand."

The 92kg class features both world bronze medalists, Asian Games champion Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) and Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN), along with Bishkek 2018 bronze medalist Azizbek SOLIEV (UZB). Matsumoto already has two Asian silver medals---but in different styles. He finished second at 86kg in freestyle in 2015, then again at 85kg in Greco-Roman in 2017.

Russian-born Adam BATIROV (BRN), coming off winning the world silver medal at 70kg, will aim for his first Asian title since 2016 when he takes the mat at 74kg. Also in the gold chase will be Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN), an Asian Games bronze medalist who finished third at 70kg at Paris 2017, and Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ), a Bishkek 2018 bronze medalist and Asian Games runner-up.

One intriguing wrestler to watch is Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) at 125kg, who will be looking for his first major medal on the senior level. He was a four-time national collegiate champion in Japan at powerhouse Yamanashi Gakuin University from 2013-2016, and splits his time training in the two countries.

"Japan works more on stamina with a lot of sparring, while Kazakhstan works on techniques," said Boltin, the Asian junior silver medalist in  2013. "This allows me to do both."

Women's Wrestling, April 25-26
A year ago, Japan sent an understrength squad to Bishkek, preferring to save its top wrestlers for the Women's World Cup held less than a month later. World junior and U23 champion Saki IGARASHI (JPN) was the lone gold medalist from that team, but she will certainly have company this time if she can successfully defend her 55kg title.

In addition to Mukaida and Icho, the Japan team in Xi'an includes Budapest 2018 silver medalist and world U23 gold medalist Yukako KAWAI (JPN) at 62kg, and two-time world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN) at 76kg.

The one to watch, however, is Yuki IRIE (JPN) at 50kg. Irie is the only wrestler on the planet who can boast of having defeated two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN)---which she has done three times, including once in each of the past two years. But she has not been able to follow that up with sustained global success. Although the Asian champion in 2015, she finished third last year in Bishkek and second at the Asian Games.

"As long as I win, it doesn't matter how," Irie told the Japanese media.

With Vinesh moving up to 53kg, the battle for gold looks to be a two-way clash between Irie and the Chinese representative---either Budapest 2018 and Rio 2016 bronze medalist SUN Yanan, or Bishkek 2018 champion LEI Chun, according to the preliminary entry list.

Another major Japan-China battle appears to loom at 62kg between Kawai, the younger sister of Olympic champion Risako who will be making her continental debut, and PEI Xingru, the Bishkek 2018 champion at 57kg and world bronze medalist at 59kg. Pei placed second behind the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Jong at 57kg at the Asian Games, and made the podium at both the Klippan Lady and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournaments this year.

Also in the field are Bishkek 2018 bronze medalist Sakshi MALIK (IND); Asian Games silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ); Nabira ESENBAEVA (KAZ), the 2018 silver medalist at 59kg; and world U23 bronze medalist Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL).

At 68kg, Rio 2016 gold medalist Sara DOSHO (JPN), who was unable to defend her world title in Budapest after undergoing shoulder surgery, will be gunning to add to the Asian titles she won in 2014, 2016 and 2017.  Defending champion and Asian Games gold medalist Feng ZHOU (CHN) and the two Asian Games bronze medalists, Divya KAKRAN (IND) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), will aim to prevent that.

Greco-Roman, April 27-28

Hossein NOURI (IRI), the 2017 world bronze medalist at 85kg, is the lone Iranian among the five in the two men's styles who will be back to defend his Asian title.

Nouri, the Asian Games champion, could face a rematch of the 87kg final in Bishkek with Masato SUMI (JPN), the runner-up at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tourney. Not to be counted out is Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the 2018 champion at 97kg who finished second to Nouri at last summer's Asian Games in Jakarta.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), the 2017 world and Asian champion at 59kg, won out in his latest duel with Rio 2016 silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN) at the national championships to earn his ticket to Xi'an at 60kg, and will look to make up for lost time and follow up on his world U23 gold medal.

Standing in his way will be Budapest 2018 bronze medalist WALIHAN Sailike (CHN), who finished second at Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov, and Mehrdad MARDANI (IRI) and Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), the bronze medalists at the Asian Games won by Ota. Ainagulov, who was third at Bishkek 2018 at 63kg, lost to Fumita in the Paris 2017 final.

Korea will send out a pair of current world and Asian Games bronze medalists in KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) at 77kg and KIM Minseok (KOR) at 130kg, while former world champion RYU Han-Soo (KOR) looks to add to his medal collection at 67kg.

Ryu, who won his second straight Asian Games gold in Jakarta, will face challenges from Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), a Budapest 2018 bronze medalist; Mohammad Reza GERAEI (IRI), a bronze medalist at the Asian Games; and Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB), a bronze medalist a year ago in Bishkek.

The other defending champion on the entry list is Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB)at 63kg, who added the world silver medal in Budapest to an extensive resume that includes a Rio 2016 bronze medal and four Asian titles. He could face a rematch of the Bishkek 2018 final with Urmatbek AMATOV (KGZ).

At 77kg, Mohammad Ali GERAEI (IRI) will look to step up to the top of the medal podium after runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2018. The 2017 world bronze medalist at 71kg, he won the Asian Games gold ahead of Korea's Kim.

Iran's lone Greco medalist in Budapest, third-place finisher Mahdi ALIYARIFEIZABADI (IRI), leads a 97kg field that includes Asian Games silver medalist XIAO Di (CHN) and bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ).

Schedule

Monday, April 22
17:00 - Draw: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg

Tuesday, April 23
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
14:45 - Draw: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
17:30-18:00 - Opening Ceremony
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg

Wednesday, April 24
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
14:45 - Draw: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg

Thursday, April 25
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
14:45 - Draw: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg

Friday, April 26
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
14:45 - Draw: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg

Saturday, April 27
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
14:45 - Draw: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg

Sunday, April 28
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
18:00-21:30 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 08:39 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to  victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist,  has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.